Chaetodon striatus

Datasheet

General Description

The Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon striatus) belongs to the Chaetodontidae family, known for their vibrant patterns and colors. These fish lack the spines on the head seen in Angelfish, and they are often attracted to soft corals, LPS corals, anemones, tubeworms, and bristleworms.

Aquarium Suitability

With an average hardiness level, these fish are peaceful in temperament and can be suitable for aquariums with care. They require a tank size of at least 300 liters and need good hiding spots among live rocks. The fish thrive in an environment with plenty of space for swimming.

Demands

Banded Butterflyfish have specific dietary needs, feeding mainly on large polyp stone corals (LPS) and soft corals. They may face challenges adapting to captive diets, so it's crucial for aquarists to provide a varied selection of suitable foods, including live corals, mussels, and zooplankton initially.

Care and Hardiness

These fish need to be fed multiple times a day, especially when introduced to a new tank. They prefer live zooplankton or mussels with crushed shells and may require food placed in coral skeletons or stones to simulate their natural feeding behavior.

Reef Suitability

Banded Butterflyfish are not considered reef-safe due to their tendency to nibble at clams, including Tridacna species, and a preference for tubeworms. Their diet and natural behaviors can pose risks to coral reef environments.

Aquarium Setup

For a Banded Butterflyfish aquarium, it is essential to provide live rocks for hiding, ample swimming space, and a varied diet including larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, small crustaceans, and zooplankton. The water conditions should be maintained within the ranges of pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, temperature 22.2-25.6°C, and carbonate hardness (KH) of 8-12.

Behaviour

Banded Butterflyfish are generally peaceful and can coexist with other fish, although caution is advised when keeping similar species together unless they form a couple. These fish may be challenging to acclimatize and feed initially, so acquiring healthy specimens without parasites is crucial.

Feeding and Diet

An appropriate diet for Banded Butterflyfish includes live SPS or LPS corals, frozen foods, and a variety of crustaceans and zooplankton. Feeding them several times a day, particularly when they are new to the tank, helps maintain their health and well-being.

Dimorphism

While dimorphism is not explicitly mentioned, some species of Chaetodon can be bred in captivity and fed frozen foods to meet their dietary requirements to ensure their well-being and survival.

Habitat and Distribution

Banded Butterflyfish are found in the Western Atlantic region, ranging from Massachusetts, USA, to Santa Catarina, Brazil, and in the Eastern Central Atlantic around St. Paul's Rocks. They inhabit areas with ample access to their preferred food sources, such as coral reefs and rocky substrates.